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GamePro Media and The Princeton Review Name Top 50 Undergraduate Schools for Video Game Design

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. – March 1, 2010 – GamePro Media (http://www.gamepro.com/ [http://www.gamepro.com/]) and The Princeton Review (http://www.princetonreview.com [http://www.princetonreview.com]) have compiled the first-ever list of top video game design programs at U.S. and Canadian universities. Of the nearly 500 institutions offering such programs, 50 schools are recognized in a special editorial feature that appears in the April issue of GamePro, available on newsstands March 9, 2010, and on GamePro.com.

The Top 50 list was based on a survey The Princeton Review conducted this past academic year (2009-10) of administrators at institutions offering game design coursework and/or degrees. The comprehensive survey numbered more than 50 questions and covered areas from academics and faculty credentials to graduates’ employment and career achievements. Criteria included the quality of the curriculum, faculty, facilities and infrastructure. The Princeton Review also looked at data on scholarships, financial aid and career opportunities.

Within the Top 50 list, eight programs are named in rank order (1 to 8) as the “best of the best.” The remaining 42 programs are presented unranked in alphabetical order.

The top eight undergraduate game design programs are:

1. University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)

2. DigiPen Institute of Technology (Redmond, WA)

3. Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA)

4. Becker College (Worcester, MA)

5. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY)

6. The Art Institute of Vancouver (Vancouver, BC)

7. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester, MA)

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA)

The complete lists are available at http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/214164/8-highest-ranked-colleges-for-game-design/ [http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/214164/8-highest-ranked-colleges-for-game-design/] and http://www.princetonreview.com/gamedesign [http://www.princetonreview.com/gamedesign]. Additional information about the schools and links to their admissions sites can be found at “The Top 8 Undergraduate Game Design Programs” on GamePro.com.

“There are now more colleges and universities than ever focusing on game development,” said Marci Yamaguchi Hughes, President of GamePro Media. “We thought this was an incredibly relevant subject for our readers, especially given the upcoming Game Developers Conference.”

Said Robert Franek, Princeton Review SVP/Publisher, "It has long been our mission at The Princeton Review to help students research and get in to the education programs best for them and on to careers in fields they are passionate about. For students aspiring to work in the rapidly growing field of game design and the companies that will need their creative talents, we hope this list brings many wonderful candidates to these programs."

About GamePro Media:

A pioneering brand in gaming media for 20 years, GamePro Media produces online, print, social media, and in-store products that engage, connect, entertain, and inform gamers. As a progressive and integrated media brand, GamePro continues to evolve to meet the needs of discerning video game enthusiasts. By pairing its online and offline properties, GamePro Media is able to deliver content to readers in ways that are optimized to each medium; online content is updated throughout each day, and the community is engaged constantly through social media updates on Facebook and Twitter. The print product is positioned as a premium environment where products can be showcased for discerning readers who wish to dig deeper into topics before turning to the online community for further discussion. GamePro print and digital properties provide purchasing information to 29 MM U.S. gamers each month and serve as key marketing vehicles for more than 100 trusted brands. For more information, visit www.gamepromedia.com [http://www.gamepromedia.com].

GamePro is a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at http://www.idg.com [http://www.idg.com].

About The Princeton Review:

The Princeton Review (Nasdaq: REVU) has been a pioneer and leader in helping students achieve their higher education goals for more than 28 years through college and graduate school test preparation and private tutoring. With more than 165 print and digital publications and a free website, www.PrincetonReview.com [http://www.PrincetonReview.com], the Company provides students and their parents with the resources to research, apply to, prepare for, and learn how to pay for higher education. The Princeton Review partners with schools and guidance counselors throughout the U.S. to assist in college readiness, test preparation and career planning services, helping more students pursue postsecondary education. The Company also owns and operates Penn Foster Education Group, a global leader in online education. Penn Foster provides career-focused degree and vocational programs in the fields of allied health, business, technology, education, and select trades through the Penn Foster High School and Penn Foster Career School (www.pennfoster.edu [http://www.pennfoster.edu]), which are headquartered in Scranton, PA.

Note to Editors:

John Davison, Executive Vice President of Content at GamePro Media, and David Soto, Director of Editorial Content at The Princeton Review, are available for interviews.